Japan MPs back budget with record defence spending

Japan’s lower house on Tuesday approved $836 billion budget for the new fiscal year beginning April that includes a record $50 billion on defense spending. The move was criticized by opposition lawmakers who highlighted the lack of spending on national childcare.

Additionally, Japan is to pay the United States $830 million for equipment and software needed to launch Tomahawks, as well as fees for the technology transfer and staff training in the coming year.With Tuesday’s clearance at the lower house, the more powerful of the country’s two-chamber parliament, the budget will be enacted by the end of March regardless of a decision of the other chamber.

The hefty defense budget is the first installment of a five-year, 315-billion  military spending plan under the new defense buildup plan as part of the country's new National Security Strategy announced in December.